Shipping wrapper for bathtubs



Dec. 6, 1966 R. K. SMITH 3,289,825

SHIPPING WRAPPER FOR BATHTUBS Filed Dec. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RICHARD ff. 5M! TH A TTORNE Y Dec. 6 1966 R. K. SMITH 3,289,825

SHIPPING WRAPPER FOR BATHTUBS Filed Dec. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i; j

INVENTOR.

RICHARD K. SMITH BY A T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,289,825 SHIPPING WRAPPER FOR BATHTUBS Richard K. Smith, Benton Harbor, Mich, assignor to Twin Cities Container Corporation, Coloma, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 416,708

6 Claims. (Cl. 20646) This invention relates to improvements in shipping wrappers for bathtubs.

Heretofore the common practice in packaging bathtubs for shipment has been to construct a wood frame for the tub which is wire bound or to use a shook crate formed of wood panels which are nailed together. Excelsior pads are required with both of these prior constructions in order to protect the enamel finish of the product. These pads are costly, a substantial amount of time is required to construct them and to mount a tub therein, and the product therein is exposed to the elements and to construction hazards, such as the dropping of tools thereon during installation of the tub.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a wrap pack formed of corrugated paperboard which encloses all finished surfaces of a bathtub, and which can be constructed inexpensively, and in which a bathtub can be enclosed rapidly, and which requires a minimum number of parts for its fabrication.

A further object is to provide a shipping wrapper which is so constructed as to leave open only parts of the ends thereof so that the wrapped package can easily be gripped and carried, said package being constructed with flanges adjacent the opening so arranged as to cushion the bathtub in the package and to strengthen the package at the part gripped in carrying the package.

A further object is to provide a wrapper of this character having an apron sheet serving to protect the apron of the bathtub from damage, to reinforce the pack and to facilitate stacking of packages in a warehouse with minimum danger of damage due to compression under the weight of the stack.

A further object is to provide a wrapper of this character having a wood cleat positioned therein to engage and extend between the feet of a bathtub and having a flanged apron sheet whose flange is positioned at the 0pposite longitudinal margin of the base panel of the wrap, whereby the tub is leveled in the wrap.

A further object is to provide a wrap so constructed as to be closed by stapling to produce a strong package and which has end flange protectors cooperating therewith and located within the package to cushion the prodnot in the package and to provide a hand grip.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete container or Wrapper;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container partially assembled;

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank constituting the main part of the wrapper;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the blank for an apron sheet used in the wrapper;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a body blank for a modified embodiment of the invention used for inverted or apron side loading of a tub in a wrapper;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank for a cushioning member forming a part of the wrapper;

FIG. 8 is an edge view illustrating a one-point score used in the wrapper;

3,28%,825 Patented Dec. 6, i966 FIG. 9 is an edge view illustrating a two-point score used in the wrapper;

FIG. 10 is an edge view illustrating a three-point score used in the wrapper;

FIG. 11 is an edge view illustrating a five-point score used in the wrapper.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a bathtub of conventional construction and characterized by upper marginal portions 12 at its sides and ends and by a front apron panel 14. The tub is provided with the usual rear legs 16. The exposed surfaces of the tub, when installed, have the usual porcelain enamel or other protective and decorative finish. The tub is of any standard size used in residence and hotel construction and constitutes a large and heavy article presenting substantial problems for packaging in a manner to facilitate handling thereof and also to protect the same during shipment and handling.

My new wrapper constitutes a blank 21]) of corrugated paperboard of any suitable type, such as paperboard of 275 pound test having an AB flute. The blank 20 is of generally rectangular shape and has a plurality of one point scores 22 extending thereacross in substantially parallel relation to define a front panel 24, a bottom panel 26, a rear panel 28 and a top panel 30, and also a top front stapling flange 32. Adjacent opposite margins of the blank 20, the same is slotted at 34 in alignment with the score 22 between panels 24 and 26, is diagonally slotted at 36 from the ends of the score 22 between the panels 26 and 28, and is provided with a V-shaped slot 38 at the opposite ends of the score 22 between the panels 28 and 30. The corners of the panel are cut away at 40 in line with the transverse score 22 between the top panel 30 and the top front stapling flange 32.

The blank 20 is provided with longitudinal scores including inner longitudinal score 42 and outer longitudinal score 44 at" each side thereof. The inner longitudinal scores 42 are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal edges of the blank and extend between the inner edges of the slots 34, 36 and 38. The outer longitudinal scores extend substantially centrally between the inner scores 4-2 and adjacent longitudinal edges of the blank. The scores 42 in the blank shown in FIG. 4 are preferably two-point outside scores, as shown in FIG. 9, except for the scores at 42 at the ends of the panel 26, which may be fivepoint scores as illustrated in FIG. 11. The scores 44 are preferably two-point inside scores except at 44 at the ends of panel 26 at which five-point scores may be used. It will be noted that the corner cutaways 40 are prefer ably substantially aligned with the scores 42, so that the length of the top front stapling flange 32 is substantially equal to the length of each of the panels 24, 26, 28 and 30.

An apron panel or blank 46 of rectangular shape and a length substantially equal to the length of the apron panel 14 of the tub and a width greater than the height of the apron panel of the tub has a score 48 formed lengthwise thereof to define a longitudinal flange 50 at one margin.

A pair of rectangular padding blanks 52 has a plurality of scores 54 and a score 56 formed therein arranged as illustrated in FIG. 7 and characterized by the fact that the scores 54 facilitate folding of the blank in one direction while the score 56 is intended to facilitate folding of the blank in the opposite direction. The arrangement is preferably such that a four-thickness pad 58 is formed by the parts between the folds 54, and a marginal flange 60 projects therefrom, as seen in FIG. 2. The pad 53 is of a length substantially equal to the width of a tub and has a width substantialy equal to the width of an end upper marginal portion 12 of the tub, as seen in FIG. 2.

In the use of the wrapper, the bathtub 10 is mounted upon the bottom panel 26 thereof in register therewith. A wood cleat 62, as seen in FIG. 3, is positioned along one margin of a panel 26 adjacent the panel 28 and provides means engaging and supporting the rear legs 16 of the bathtub. The flange 50 of the apron panel blank 46 overlies the opposite marginal portion of the bottom panel 26 and engages the bottom edge of the front apron panel 14 of the bathtub. The opposite marginal portions of each of the panels of the blank are then inwardly return folded along the score lines 44, 44, and the reverse folded flange portions are then inwardly folded along score lines 42, 42. This arrangement provides multiple thickness flanges 24' at the opposite ends of the front panel 24, multiple thickness flanges 26 at the opposite ends of the bottom panel 26, multiple thickness flanges 23 at the opposite ends of the rear panel 28, and multiple thickness flanges 30 at the opposite ends of the top panel 30, as best seen in FIG. 1.

The folded pad members 52 are positioned upon the opposite marginal portions 12 of the tub with the pad flanges 60 thereof preferably extending downwardly at the outer ends of the tub. Thereupon, the wrapper may be applied around the tub by folding the blank so that the rear panel 28 extends diagonally from the bottom panel 26 in engagement with the rear of the tub and the rear upper marginal flange portion 12 thereof, and the top panel 30 is folded forwardly across the top of the tub, bearing upon the pad members 58 at its ends. The front panel 24 and the apron pad 46 are folded upwardly across the front of the tub and preferably in engagement with the tub front stapling flange 32. Suitable staples (not shown) are utilized to interconnect the overlapping portions of the flange 32 and the front panel 24. If desired, the flange 32 may be interposed between the front panel 24 and the apron panel blank 46. Thereupon the flanges 24, 26', 28 and 30', which overlap at their ends, may be stapled together to complete the container. In the preferred arrangement, the flange 60 will preferably be interfolded with the top panel end flanges 30'.

It will be observed that the inclined positioning of the rear panel 28 is accommodated by the angular arrangement of the slots 36 and 38. Thus the top and bottom ends of the flanges 28 of the rear panel will preferably be substantially parallel to the top and bottom panels of the assembled wrapper, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In some instances it may be desired to position the top in inverted position or upon its side as it has the Wrapper applied thereto, and for such usage the shape of the blank may be altered from that shown in FIG. 4. to that shown in FIG. 6. In the FIG. 6 construction, the blank 70 has the parallel transverse scores 72 and longitudinal marginal inner scores 74 and outer scores '76. The transverse scores 72 and the inner longitudinal scores 74 cooperate to define a bottom panel 78, a rear panel 80, a top panel 82 and a front panel 84, and a front panel flange 86. Diagonal slots 88 extend from opposite margins to the inner longitudinal scores 74 at a point between the bottom flange 78 and the rear flange 80. V-shaped slot 90 is formed at each longitudinal margin of the blank and extends to the inner score 74 at a point between the panels 80 and 82. A transverse slot 92 is aligned with the score between the panels 32 and 84 and extends from each longitudinal margin to the inner longitudinal score 74. Corner cut-outs 94 are formed in the blank 70 at the opposite ends of the front panel flange 86.

In this construction, each of the scores 74 is preferably a three-point inside score, as illustrated in FIG. 10, except the score parts 74' at the ends of the panel 80 which are preferably five-point scores. Also, each of the scores 76 are preferably three-point outside scores except at the parts 76 at the ends of the panel 80 which are preferably five-point scores.

In assembling the wrap of FIG. 6, the same procedure as explained above is followed except that, if the tub is in inverted position, it is applied to the panel 82 after the pad members 58 have been positioned properly upon that panel. Thereupon the remainder of the wrapper is formed, including the assembly of a cleat member, such as cleat 62 shown in FIG. 3, incident to the wrapping operation, and also the application of the front apron panel blank 46 to overlie the front panel 84. In the event the tub is positioned upon its side, as upon its front apron 14 as it is applied to the blank, it will be placed upon the panel 84 after the front apron panel blank 46 has been applied to the blank 70. Padding members 58 and cleat 62 will be applied during the completion of the wrap as will be apparent from the foregoing description.

The construction is well suited for the shipment and for the storage of packaged bathtubs. Note that all of the enameled or finished surfaces of the bathtub are fully protected and encased. An important characteristic of the construction is provided by the inturned marginal retainer and flanges, such as the flanges 24, 26, 28 and 30' shown in FIG. 1. These flanges serve as cushions and also leave a space at each end of the package to facilitate gripping of the package at a flange, and particularly at the flange 35 serving as a handgrip. The opening at each end of the package allows for visual color inspection and yet avoids any risk of damage to finished enamel surfaces of the packaged tub. The openings also permit packaged plumbing accessories to be inserted into the wrap without disturbing closures of the wrap, and thus makes a convenient arrangement for use of a plumber who is to install the tub.

The apron sheet 46 protects the tub apron 14 from damage and also serves to reinforce the pack, particularly for assistance in stacking of the tubs in a warehouse. Such stacking is also facilitated by the use of the wood cleat 62. Stacking is preferably accomplished by inverting alternate stacked packages so that contacting Wrapped articles are engaged bottom panel to bottom panel, and top panel to top panel in a stack. The end flange arrangement also facilitates adequate stapling to insure strength of the wrap in its completed or assembled form. In proper selected sizes of wraps correlated to the size of the hub being packaged, the danger of movement of the tub within the wrap is eliminated. All points of the package at which danger of injury during handling exists, as at the front apron and at the top margin of the tub, are adequately protected so that injury during handling is minimized.

The foregoing characteristics of the wrap render it particularly well suited for its intended purpose and provide an economical package giving adequate protection during handling and during usage at a cost which is favorable compared to the cost of prior packages for such products.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made Within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A shipping wrapper for bathtubs having finished marginal upper portions and a front apron, comprising a substantially rectangular paperboard blank scored longitudinally and transversely to define front, bottom, rear and top panels and flanges at one end and at both sides of said blank, said blank being adapted to encircle a bathtub with its ends stapled at said end flange, said side flanges being divided by slots extending from the ends of transverse scores to define flange portions folded inwardly from said panels with their ends overlapping and secured together, whereby said flanges constitute hand grip portions surrounding end openings spaced from the finished portions of a bathtub within the wrapper, and a front paper-board apron blank within said wrapper and having a flange underlying the bottom edge of said front tub apron.

2- A Shipping Wrapper for bathtubs having finished marginal upper portions and a front apron, comprising a substantially rectangular paperboard blank scored longitudinally and transversely to define front, bottom, rear and top panels and flanges at one end and at both sides of said blank, said blank being adapted to encircle a bathtub with its ends stapled at said end flange, said side flanges being divided by slots extending from the ends of transverse scores to define flange portions folded inwardly from said panels with their ends overlapping and secured together, whereby said flanges constitute hand grip portions surrounding end openings spaced from the finished portions of a bathtub within the wrapper, said tube having spaced legs at its rear, and a wood cleat within said wrapper engaging and extending between said legs.

3. A shipping wrapper for bathtubs having finished marginal upper portions and a front apron, comprising a substantially rectangular paperboard blank scored longitudinaliy and transversely to define front, bottom, rear and top panels and flanges at one end and at both sides of said blank, said blank being adapted to encircle a bathtub With its ends stapled at said end flange, said side flanges being divided by slots extending from the ends of transverse scores to define flange portions folded inwardly from said panels with their ends overlapping and secured together, whereby said flange constitute hand grip portions surrounding end openings spaced from the finished portions of a bathtub within the wrapper, and a pair of paper board pad members of multiple thickness engaging opposed upper marginal finished tub portions and each having a flange engaging the adjacent side flanges of said wrapper.

4. A shipping wrapper for bathtubs having finished marginal upper portions and .a front apron, comprising -a substantially rectangular paperboard blank scored longitudinally and transversely to define front, bottom, rear and top panels and flanges at one end and at both sides of said blank, said blank being adapted to encircle a bathtub with its ends stapled at said end flange, said side flanges being divided by slot extending from the ends of transverse scores to define flange portions folded inwardly from said panels With their ends overlapping and secured together, whereby said flanges constitute hand grip portions surrounding and openings spaced from the finished portions of a bathtub within the wrapper, and a pair of paperboard pad members of multiple thickness engaging opposed marginal upper finished tub portions and each having a downturned flange, the side flange portions extending inwardly from the top Wrapper panel being return bent and each receiving therein said downturned flange of the adjacent pad member.

5. A shipping container for bathtubs having an upper marginal part, a front apron and rear legs, comprising a paperboard wrapper adapted to extend around the tub at top, front, bottom and rear thereof and having open ends, and inturned flanges at front, back, bottom and top of said wrapper arranged in end lapped relation to each other and secured together to reinforce said wrapper and provide hand grip portions, a wood cleat carried by said wrapper and engaged by said legs, and a paper-board panel in said wrapper extending across said tub apron and having a flange underlying the bottom edge of said tub apron.

6. A shipping container for bathtubs having an upper marginal part, a front apron and rear legs, comprising a paperboard Wrapper adapted to extend around the tub at top, front, bottom and rear thereof and having open ends, and inturne-d flanges at front, back, bottom and top of said wrapper arranged in end lapped relation to each other and secured together to reinforce said wrapper and provide hand grip portions, and a pair of multiple thickness paperboard pads in said wrapper covering opposite ends of said marginal tub parts and each having a downturned flange, one of said downturned pad flanges and the adjacent wrapper end flange having a return bent part receiving the other to define a hand grip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,821,692 9/1931 Copeland 229-14 1,963,272 6/1934 Kammert 22923 2,012,132 8/1935 Koppelman et al. 22937 2,509,447 5/ 1950 Prawdzik 206-46 3,099,351 7/ 1963 Coffey 20646 3,167,234 1/ 1965 Munroe 22923 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR.,

Examiners. 

1. A SHIPPING WRAPPER FOR BATHTUBS HAVING FINISHED MARGINAL UPPER PORTIONS AND A FRONT APRON, COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR PAPERBOARD BLANK SCORED LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY TO DEFINE FRONT, BOTTOM, REAR AND TOP PANELS AND FLANGES AT ONE END AND AT BOTH SIDES OF SAID BLANK, SAID BLANK BEING ADAPTED TO ENCIRCLE A BATHTUB WITH ITS ENDS STAPLED AT SAID END FLANGE, SAID SIDE FLANGES BEING DIVIDED BY SLOTS EXTENDING FROM THE ENDS OF TRANSVERSE SCORES TO DEFINE FLAN GES PORTIONS FOLDED INWARDLY FROM SAID PANELS WITH THEIR ENDS OVERLAPPING AND SECURED TOGETHER, WHEREBY SAID FLANGES CONSTITUTE HAND GRIP PORTIONS SURROUNDING END OPENINGS SPACED FROM THE RINISHED PORTIONS OF A BATHTUB WITHIN THE WRAPPER, AND A FRONT PAPERBOARD APRON BLANK WITHIN SAID WRAPPER AND HAVING A FLANGE UNDERLYING THE BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID FRONT TUB APRON. 